Mining sulfur.



PATENTED Nov. 12, 1907.

H. FRASGH. MINING SULFUR. APPLIOATION PILB'D 01712150.1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

EU n van foz No. 870,620. l PATENTEDNOV. 12, 1907.

H. BRASGH. MINING SULFUR.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.30,1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H ERMAN FRASCH, OF NEW YORK; N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FRASCH SULPHURPROCESS COMPANY, OF KITTERY, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MrNING SULFUR.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed October 30. 1903. Serial No. 179,232.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN FRAscH, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, and county ofNew York, in the State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Mining Sulfur, of which the following is aspecification'. i

This invention relates more particularly to the obtainment of sulfurfrom an underground deposit by melting the sulfur therein and removingit therefrom in the melted condition; but each of the improvementsconstituting` the invention is intended to be secured for .all `the usesto which the same, with or without modification, may be adapted.

Heretofore I obtained a patent, No. 461,429, dated October 20, 1891, forthe process of obtaining sulfur in' the'y aforesaid manner, and apatent, No. 461,430, also dated October 20, 1891, for apparatus to beused in so obtaining the' same. In accordance with what was thenconsidered the best mode of working, water heated to a temperature abovethe melting point of sulfur was introduced through suitable piping intothe underground deposit and afterwards returned by other piping to thesurface of the ground at a temperature somewhat lower, but still abovethe melting point of sulfur. The sulfur, `melted in the undergrounddeposit, was raised to the surface through a proper pipe by the pressureproduced 4in the deposit by pumping the hot water thereinto (the returnwater being held under sufficient pressure) or by the direct liftingaction of a pump placed in' the deposit. Subsequently, to wit, on May27, 1897,

`I filed an application (officially numbered 638,357) for a patentoncertain improvements, which were more particularly designed for theobtainment of sulfur as aforesaid from deposits in porous rodk, floodedwith natural water, such as had been encountered in actual working.,Without here attempting a full recital, it

. may be observed that saidapplication discloses, among tainable in theporous deposit.

density of said column low enough for its pressure to bev overbalancedby the otherwise inadequate pressure at- The raising of the meltedsulfur as set forth in my said application has been foundsatisfactorytf'and the present invention does not concern itself withthat part of the general proce. The melting of the sulfur as set forthin said application, while correct in principle, has been found to admitof some further improvements; and to` it the present invention relates.By melting as described in said application, the expense per ton ofsulfur obtained is decreased andthe average yield of sulfur per wellincreased beyond anything believed to be possible in the case of a waterflooded porous deposit with a circulation (that is, with introductionand return) ofhotswater; but, nevertheless, such melting has not, forall wells, given the expected results.' In several instances wells hadto be abandoned at a loss; because there was no recovery from them -ofsulfur sufficient to compensate forl the expense connected with theinstallation and working. I have discovered'that the difficulty waslmainly due to the water naturally present in the rock, whose existenceI knew about and the effects of -which I partly appreciated and hadlargely succeeded in cou'nteracting by proceeding as set forth in mysaid application; although the difficulty seems (as I have alsodiscovered) to be due in part to the existence in or above the depositof passages so large as to allow much hot water to flow away withoutproper effect.

In accordance with the present invention, comminuted material (sawdustis considered the best and is more especially claimed, although my claimextends also to suitable comminuted material in general) is in troducedinto the ,deposit so as to fill the larger passages in the rock and thuseffect the distribution of the hot water more uniformly in theneighborhood of the pipe up which the sulfur is raised. Eurther inaccordance with the present invention the rate at which the hot water issent into the underground deposit and caused to flow away through therock is increased suiciently beyond the rate mentioned in my saidapplication to my said application, by way of example and asillustrating what was then considered the best mode of working, threeheaters for the fusion water are shown and one hundred and twenty fivegallons of water. per minute is mentioned as cold water supply for asingle heater. To this would be added the water from condensing steamnecessary to raise the cold water to the steams temperature, say, atotal for the three heaters shown of about 500 gallons (about two'tonsin weight) of hot water introduced each minute into the mine (or therock. In accordance with the present invention, this rate of about 500gallons (or two tons) per minute is materially increased. The rate ofabout 1,250 /gallons (say, about five tns) per minute has been found togive satisfactory results; but there is reason to beresults; and it isnot intended to restrictythe claim on this feature of the presentvinvention to a delivery of prevent the inroads into the melting spaceof the natu-(Rl rally present water from the surrounding rock. In

underground deposit) and caused to flow away through lieve that-afurther increase would give atleast as good 1,250 gallons (5 tons) perminute as either a minimum or a maximum.

In order to increase the rate of delivery of hot water into the depositWithout increasing the size of the mine i piping, it is found expedientto supply such water to the mine piping at a pressure abovel that whichcorre- -sponds with its temperature when it leaves the heaters;

is applied when the underground porous deposit does not admit a pressuretherein equal even to the pressure corresponding with the temperature ofthe hot Water,

when added to the pressure of a water column the length of the minepiping.

Other parts, improvements or combinations are lincluded in the inventionas hereinafter set forth.

' lhe invention includes 4the apparatus herein set forth, its parts,improvements and combinations as specified. I

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification:Figures l and 2 are diagrams pf a sulfur-mining plant, Fig. 1 beingpartly in verticalvsection and` partly in elevation and 2 in plan. Fig.1a is a'detail view,'showing a valve on the sulfur pipe, and Fig. 1b adetail view, showing a part of a water heater.

The feathered arrows show the flow of steam or air, the unfeatheredarrows without cross-bar the flow of water, and the unfeathered arrowswith crossbar the i iow of melted sulfur, the same being mingled withair. So far as concerns the well itself, a single line of mine pipingcould be used alternately to introduce the hot waterrwithout return,into the underground deposit and`to convey the melted sulfur to thesurface of the ground;, but it is better to use at least two lines ofpiping, one Vfor conveying the hot water and the other for raising themelted sulfur, and, when not so employed and it is so desired, forconveying hot water to the deposit; and it is still better to use twolines of hot water piping in addition to the sulfur pipe.

The pipe A is sunk through the ground to the rock; and a hole incontinuation of the pipe bore is drilled into or through thesulfur-bearing deposit C, the rock B immediately below the pipe A beingstrengthened (when'considered necessary or expedientlby cement. In anapplication ofFebruary`6, 1905, which is oicially numbered 244,508, andis in part a continuation of my hereinabove mentioned application of May27 1897, I have more fully described such strengthening of the rock;`and I have also specified. the same in claims which I have made in saidapplication 244,508. When the well hole is ready, the inner hot Waterpipe D, the sulfur pipe E and a pipe F for discharging compressedair'into the lower part of the column of melted sulfur are inserted. Thehot water pipe D (as shown) has a plug D with a perforation thereinthrough which the sulfur pipe E passes. On said plug D the collar E ofsaid pipe E rests. The lower end of the pipe E (as shown) opens into astrainer D formed by an extension of the pipe D. The wall of the pipe Djust above the plug D is perforated for the escape of hot Water into themine. The wall of the straineii'D/ is perforated so as to let in themelted sulfur, but to keep out solid particles. Y

The piping is best made of iron or steel with a protecting layer of ametal, such as zinc or aluminium,- which is not corroded by sulfur, overthose portions of the piping liable to be in lcontact with the meltedsulfur. i

As so far described, the well is the same as shown in my saidapplication 638,357. It could, of course, be otherwise constructed, sofar as the present invention is concerned; since this lattercontemplates any proper piping for conveying the h'ot water'into themine without return and for removing the melted sulfur' therefrom. Afeature of the prese'ntinvention consists, however, in introducing hotwater which flows away underground partly through the sulfur pipe andpartly through a separate hot water piping, the introduction of hotwater through the sulfur'pipe being, of course,

when desired, to the sulfur pipe. The branch e' serves to convey themelted sulfur and is closed by a stopcock e (Fig. la), when the sulfurpipe is used for introducing hot water into the deposit. The stop-cockAon the branch e may be of any suitable description.

Its construction is no part of the present invention. I have, however,devised a valve which is specially adapted for pipes which convey meltedsulfur, the same forming the subject of my application No. 179,231,filed of even date herewith; and Fig. 1a exhibits such valve inelevation.

At' d and a are valved branches for supplying hot water to the minepipes D and A, respectively. The pipe A may advantageously be ten inchesin interior diameter, the pipe D six inches, the ypip-e E three inches,and the pipe F one inch. The length of the pipes'will, of course, dependupon the depth of the Y sulfur deposit below the surface of the ground.

So far as concerns the heating of the water to above the melting pointof sulfur, any suitable heaters may be used; but it is consideredadvantageous and a special improvement to employ those in which livesteam of appropriate temperature is condensed in the water to be heated."Six heaters G of this description are shown. Each of them receives thelive steam from the steam main K through a valved branch 2 and the waterto be heated from the cold water main L through a valved branch 3. Thewater is, of course, delivered under sufficient pressure to force itselfinto the heaterv against the pressure of the live steam therein. Thismay be advantageously 9 0 pounds t'o the square inch above atmosphericpremure, or even more, if steam of the higher pressure and temperaturebe found not to make the fusion water so hot that it would render thesulfur in the pipe E pasty and thereby interfere with its flow. Steam ofbetween and 100 pounds pressure has been successfully used. Each heaterG has appliances inside for bringing the water and steam 'into intimatecontact with each other, so that the water attains the steamstemperature. Preferably the appliances of my said application of May 27,1897, No. 638,357, would be used. vThey consist (see Fig. 1b) of a stackof pans g (a few of which only are shown) set one upon another and heldapart by the legs, by

they are supported. In the bottom oi each pan are perforationssurrounded by low rims, so that each from the other matters of saidapplication oiMay 27,

1897, said-means have been made the subject of a divisional applicationwhich was filed February 6, l1905, and has been oicially numbered244,510.

A Each heater discharges the hot water through a valved branch pipe 4into the iirsthot water main M. From this main the pumps N are supplied,each through a- -valved branch 5. As shown, n is the pump cylinder,

n the steam cylinder, and n the rod between the pistons oi a pump. Thepumps N deliver the hot water each through a valved branch 6 into thesecond hot water main P, 'which supplies it through the branches #and ato theihot water mine piping D and -A and also through the branch e tothe sulfur pipe E, when this is not being used for elevation of sulfurandI it is desired to send hot water down it into the deposit.-

By the operation ofthe pumps N, the water which 'left the heaters G atthe temperature corresponding with its pressure, namely, at ,thetemperature of the live steam `in the heaters G, to the' pressure ofwhich steam it was subjected, is supplied to the mine piping at a higherpressure.` Thus more. hot water is delivered through given mine pipingthan would be the case if such water was'delivered to said piping at thepressure 'corresponding with its temperature o n leaving the heaters G.i' I With pipes A and D of ten-inch and six-inch bores, respectively,the rate at which the hot water is' sent in'tolthe underground depositby the pumps N through said pipes `and caused to -iiow away undergroundcan .be increased sufficiently beyond the rate mentioned in my saidapplication to prevent inroads from the surrounding rock of the waterlnaturally present therein and thereby to increase materially the amountoi sulfur'which` can 'be obtained from a 'well.-.having hot water pipesof the respective bores named.

The hot water may be sent by the pumps N into the deposit G at the rateof about 1,250 gallons (about five tons in weight) per minute; vand itsintroduction at this rate has resulted in obtaining a much largeraverage yield of sulfur from wells than was obtained when the hot waterwas introduced at the lesser rate mentionedy in mysaid application. T hedifference is evidently not due merely to theamount of hot water inftroduce'd; for in such case the wells would in the end yield on theaverage a's. much sulfur with the slower as with the more rapidintroduction of the hot water. A time element is involved, the-effectof'which could not be, as in fact it was not, anticipated.

Should it appear that the sulfur is not melting properly (as shown, forexample, by the slackening of the yield of melted sulfur), or that thevhot water is notl "suiiiciently distributed in the neighborhood ofthewell `(asshown by the free working of the pumps N and 1 the appearanceof the water glasses attached'to the heaters G) and especially if, as ismost apt 'to be the case, the process appears to be working improperlyin both these respects,l sawdust is pumped into the mine Piping- Forthis purpose a mixing tank Q is shown, having a stirrer q, a watersupply 7, and a discharge pipe 8 leading to the inlet of one of thepumps N. The stirrer q is lessimportant than the other parts, as thestirring .supply 7 may deliver water at about 212 F.; but it is notessential that the tank be open; nor is any particular temperatureessential for the water which is introduced intoithe tank Q for mixingwith the sawdust..

The mixture oi sawdust and water from the tank Q is fed by the pump Nwhich receives it-into a larger volume of water of a temperature abovethe melting point of sulfur which is being introduced into theunderground deposit.v

The delivery df sawdust into the mine 'cavity is not a part of theordinary working, but is effected at and during such times as it mayappear to be called for. When introduced, a feed of about 100 pounds ofsawdust per minute would represent a practical rate.

On September 19,1906, patents respectively numbered' 799,642 and 800,127were granted on my said application of May 27, 1897, No. 638,357, and ona division of the same which was filed November 23, 1903, and officiallynumbered 182,359.

I claim as my invention or discovery.:

1. The improved process of fusion mining in porous' in the deposit,substantially as described.

2. The improved process of fusion mining in porous deposits, whichprocess is characterized not only by the introduction of fusion fluidinto'an underground porous deposit of fusible material and by theremoval of the melted material therefrom, but also by the introductionof comminuted material mixed'with water into said deposit ln orderthereby to restrict the freedom of movementof said fusion fluiddescribed.

3. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in introducing intoan underground porous deposit comminuted material in adniixture withwater heated above the melting point ofthe material to be mined, and inremoving the melted material, substantially as described.

4. In mining by fusion, the'improvement consisting in melting thematerial in an undergrund porous deposit by hot water introduced withoutreturn into said deposit at u rate suiciently above five hundred gallonsa minute to prevent inroads into theV melting space of naturally presentwater from-the surrounding rock, and in removing the melted material,substantially as described.

5. I'n mining byfuson, the improvement consisting in melting thematerial in an underground porous deposit by hot water introduced intosaid deposit, for such introduction supplying said hot water to the minepiping at a pressure above that corresponding with its-:temperature onleaving the heaters, causing the supplyof so introduced water to flowawnyunderground and so to hold back naturally present water, undremoving the melted material, substantially as described.r d

6. In mining by fusion, the limprovementconsisting ln eecting thevmelting byhotwater introduced into an underground deposit which doesnot naturally admit of 'a pressure therein equal to that correspondingwith the temperature of the hot wateren leaving the heaters when addedto the-pressure of a water column the length of the mine piping', forsuch introduction supplying said hot water to the mine piping at apressure above that correinvthe'deposit, substantially as sponding with'its temperature on leaving the heaters,

introducingv hot water into an underground porous deposit in order tomelt the material therein. applying additional pressure to said waterafter heating and before its intro duction into the deposit in orderfurther to increase the rate of its delivery thereinto, causing thesupply of 'so introduced water to dow away underground and so to holdback naturally present water, and removing the melted material.substantialy as described.

8. lnmining by fusion, the improvement consisting in introducing hotwater without return and comminuted material in admixture therewith intothe underground deposit, and for such introduction supplying said hotwater to the mine piping at a pressure above that corresponding with itstemperature on leaving the heaters, and

in removing the melted material, substantially as described.

9. The improved process of fusion mining in porous deposits, whichprocess is characterized not only by the introduction of fusion fluidinto an underground porous deposit of fusible material and by theremoval of the melted material therefrom, but also by the introductioninto said porous deposit of water without return and 'of comminutedmaterial in admix'ture therewith, substantially as described. Y I

10. In mining by fusion. the improvement consisting in introducing hotWater without return and commlnuted material in admixture therewith-intoan underground porous deposit. applying additional pressure tosaidwater4 between the beaters and the mine piping. and removing themelted material. substantially as described.

11. In mining by fusion,v .the improvement consisting in heating waterto a temperature above the melting point of the material to be mined bycondensation of live steam therein under pressure, introducing the soheated water into an underground porous deposit, for such introductionsupplying the so heated water to the mine piping at apressure above thatof said live steam, causing the supply of so introduced water to dowaway underground and so to hold back naturally present water. andremoving the melted material, substantially as described.

12. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in heating water toa temperature` above the melting point of the material to be mined bycondensation of live steam therein under pressure, introducing the soheated water into an underground porous deposit which does not naturallyadmit of a pressure therein equal to that of said steam when added tothe pressure of a water column the length of the mine piping, for suchintroduction supplying the so heated water to the mine piping at apressure above that of said-live steam. lcausing the supply of sointroduced water to flow away underground and so to hold back naturallypresent water, and removing the melted material, substantially asdescribed.

13. In mining by fusion, the improvement consisting in melting thematerial in the` underground deposit by hot water introduced partlythrough the pipe up which the melted material is raised in intervalsbetween such-rais ing and partly through separate hot water piping,causing both supplies of' hot water to dow away un erground and so tohold back naturally present water, and raising the melted material, theintroduction of th'e hot water through the iirst mentioned pipe beingstopped when the melted material is to be raised and the raising of saidmaterial being eiectedduring such stoppage, substantially as described.

l-l. Apparatus for mining by fusion `having a pipe up which the meltedmaterial is' raised 'provided with a branch for`delivering said materialand a branch for receivlng hot water for fusion. and separate 'hot waterpiping, said pipe and piping lead-ing to an underground porous depositand means being provided for closing the latter against return of waterto the surface of the ground, substantialy as described.

15. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having three pipes sions() leadingfrom hot water heaters to an underground deposit, one of which pipes isprovided with a branch for delivery of melted material and also withmeans for shutting off -the hot, water connection during such delivery,the apparatus as a whole being arranged to confine the water from allthe pipes to the deposit and lso cause the supply from all of them tohowv away underground, sub

stantially as described.

16. Apparatus for mining by'tusion, having means'for introducingcomminuted material into an underground deposit, and alsohaving meansfor introducing fusion fluid into said deposit and forremoving meltedmaterial therefrom, substantially as described. Y

'17. Apparatus for mining by fusion, having means for introducingcomminuted material in admixture with water into an underground deposit,and also having means for introducing fusion iuld into said deposit andfor removing melted material therefrom, substantially as described. 18-Apparatus for mining by fusion, having means for introducing water atthe fusing temperature into an underground deposit. and also means forallowing comminuted material to be mixed with said water, in combinationwith means for removing melted material from said deposit, substantiallyas described. f

19. The combination of mine piping, means for supplying a mining fluidto the said mine piping, means for removing mined material, a mixingtank, a water'supplyfor said tank, and connections between the said tankand the said mine piping,.substantially as described.

20. The combination of mine piping, heaters, connections between thesaid heaters and the said mine piping, means for raising m'eltedmaterial through thev said mine piping, a mixing tank provided with astirrer, a water supply for said tank, and connections between 'the saidtank and the said mine piping, substantially as described.

21. The combination of mine piping, means for raising melted materialthrough said mine piping, a mixing tank, heaters. and connectionsbetween saidl mine piping and said mixing tank and heaters,substantially as described.

22. The combination with mine piping leading to an underground depositof material to be mined, means for supplying fusion uid to said piping,means for raising the melted material, andi means whereby said depositis closed against the return of the fusion duid, of means for supplyingcomminuted material to said piping, substantially as'described.

23. The combination of imine piping, means for raising melted materialthrough said mine piping, a mixing tank, heaters, and pumps between saidmine piping and said mixing tank and heaters, substantially asdescribed.

24. The combination with mine piping leading to a porous deposit. meansfor raising melted material through against return of water to thesurface of the ground, of heaters, and pumps between said heaters andsaid mine piping, substantially as described. Y

25. The combination 'with mine piping, means for raising melted materialthrough said piping, and means for supplying hot water under pressure tosaid piping,` of a mixing tank, and a pumpreceivng material from saidtank and discharging it into said mine piping, substantially asdescribed. Y

'said piping, and means whereby said deposit is closed 26. Thecombination of hot water heaters, mine piping,

means for raising melted material through said mine piping, pumpsbetween said heaters and said mine plplngji and a mixing tank deliveringmaterial to a pump connected with said piping, substantially asdescribed.

27. Apparatus for mining by fusion, in which water is heated bycondensation of live steam in contact therewith, having pumps betweensuch steam-condensing water heaters' and the mine piping for'forcing theso heated water through said piping into'an underground deposit, andalso having means for raising melted material from said /de -posit, andmeans whereby said deposit is closed against the return of the hot waterto the surface of the ground, substantially as described.

28. Apparatus for mining by fusion having mine piping leading to anunderground porous deposit, means for raising melted material from saiddeposit, means whereby said deposit is closed against the returnot'water to as described. 85

troducing a mining duid into a porous underground de- -the surface ofthe ground, and means which supply water heated `above the melting pointof the material to be .ground deposit of the material to be mined, meansbeing providedfor raising the melted material through that one of saidpipes whichopens into the deposit at the lowest level, and this lastmentioned pipe being provided with a branch for delivery of the meltedmaterial raised through the same and also with means for shutting oifthe water connection during such delivery, the apparatus as a wholebeing arranged to confine the water from all the pipes to,

the deposit and` so cause the supply from all of them to dow awayunderground, substantially as described.` 4 30. Alpparatus Vformining byduid, having means for introducing a mining duid in'to a porousunderground de posit of material to be mined, means for removing themined material `irom said deposit, and means for introducing into thedeposit comminuted material for choking passages therein and thusrestricting the ireedoln of movement of said mining duid, substantiallyas described.

31. Apparatus for mining by duid, having means for in#A troducing amining duid into a porous underground deposit of material to be mined,means for removing the mined material from said deposit, and meanshforintroducing into the deposit at different levels comminuted material forchoking passages therein and thus restricting the freedom of movement ofsaid mining duid, substantially 32. Apparatusfor mining by duid, havingmeans for inposit of material to'be mined, meansy for removing the'mined minerai from said deposit by the pressure in saidy deposit,` andmeans for introducing into the deposit comminuted 'material for chokingpassages therein and thus restricting' the freedom of movement of saidmining duid, substantially as described.

33. The process of mining by duid, characterized not only by theintroduction of mining duid into aporous underground deposit of materialto be mined and by the removal of the mined material, but also by theintroduction into saiddeposit of comminuted material for chokingpassages therein and thusrestricting the freedom of movement of saidmining duid, substantially as described.

34. The process of mining by duid, characterized not only by theintroduction of mining duid into a porous underground deposit ofmaterial to be mined land by the removal of the mined material, b utalso by the introduction into said deposit atdiderent levels ofcomminuted material for choking passages therein and thus restrictingthe treedoin of movement of said mining duid, substantially asdescribed. v

35. hcprocess of mining by duid, characterized not only*by`theintroduction of mining duid into a 'porous .underground deposit ofmaterial to be mined and by the removal of the mined material, but alsoby the introduction into said deposit of comminuted material in thenaturel of sawdust for choking passages therein and thus restricting thefreedom ofmovement of said mining duid,

'substantially as described.

36. The process of mining by duid, characterized not and 'thusrestricting the freedom of movement of said mining duid, substantiallyas described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my' name Ato this specification inthe-presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN FRASCH.

Witnesses? r W. L'OTHMAN, i J. C. UPDEGRovE.

